Chelsea are reportedly ready to give up on their protracted pursuit of Moises Caicedo, with Leandro Paredes emerging as an alternative target.
The Blues remain in the market for midfield reinforcements after parting company with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic.
They had been hoping that long-standing interest in Brighton star Caicedo would reach a positive conclusion in the summer transfer window.
That has not been the case, with the Seagulls knocking back several bids, as they refuse to budge in their £100 million ($127m) valuation of the highly rated Ecuador international.
Chelsea are now turning their attention elsewhere, with Standard Sport claiming that Paris Saint-Germain ace Paredes is in their sights.
Mauricio Pochettino previously worked with the Argentina international at PSG and – with the 2022 World Cup winner into the final year of his contract in France – he is considered to be a cut-price option at Stamford Bridge.
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He does not fit the profile of player usually targeted by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership team, but the 29-year-old’s experience could prove invaluable.
